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I have no further gone in this, than by
A single voice; and that not pass'd me, but
By learned approbation of the judges. If I am
Traduc'd by ignorant tongues, which neither know
My faculties, nor person, yet will be
The chronicles of my doing,-let me say
That virtue must go through. We must not stint
'Tis but the fate of place, and the rough brake
Our necessary actions, in the fear

To cope malicious censures; which ever,
As ravenous fishes, do a vessel follow

That is new trimm'd; but benefit no further
Than vainly longing. What we oft do best,
By sick interpreters, once weak ones, is
Not ours, or not allow'd; what worst, as oft
Hitting a grosser quality, is cried up

For our best act. If we shall stand still,

In fear our motion will be mock'd or carp'd at, We should take root here where we sit, or sit State statues only.

K. Hen. Things done well, And with a care, exempt themselves from fear; Things done without example, in their issue Are to be fear'd. Have you a precedent Of this commission? I believe not any. We must not rend our subjects from our laws, And stick them in our will. Sixth part of each? A trembling contribution! Why, we take From every tree, lop, bark, and part o' the timber; And, though we leave it with a root, thus hack'd, The air will drink the sap. To every county, Where this is question'd, send our letters, with Free pardon to each man that has denied The force of this commission: Pray, look to't; I put it to your care.

Wol.

Let there be letters writ to every shire,
A word with you. [To the Secretary.
Of the king's grace and pardon. The griev'd

commons

Hardly conceive of me; let it be nois'd,
That through our intercession this revokement
And pardon comes; I shall anon advise you
Further in the proceeding. [Exit Secretary.

SCENE.-The Presence-Chamber in York Place,
London.

To those which would not know them, and yet Hautboys. A small table under a state for the

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CARDINAL, a longer table for the guests. Enter at one door ANNE BULLEN, and divers Lords, Ladies, and Gentlewomen as guests; at another door enter SIR HENRY GUILDFord. Guild. Ladies, a general welcome from his grace Salutes ye all: This night he dedicates To fair content and you: none here, he hopes, In all this noble bevy, has brought with her One care abroad: he would have all as merry As first-good company, good wine, good welcome, Can make good people. O, my lord, you are

tardy;

Enter Lord Chamberlain, Lord SANDS, and Sir
THOMAS LOVELL.

The very thought of this fair company
Clapp'd wings to me.

Cham. You are young, Sir Harry Guildford.

Sands. Sir Thomas Lovell, had the cardinal But half my lay-thoughts in him, some of these Should find a running banquet ere they rested, I think would better please them: By my life, They are a sweet society of fair ones.

Hautboys. Enter Cardinal WOLSEY, attended; and takes his state.

Wol. You are welcome, my fair guests; that noble lady,

Or gentleman, that is not freely merry,
Is not my friend: This, to confirm my welcome,
And to you all good health.

[Drinks.
Sands.
Your grace is noble :-
Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks,
And save me so much talking.

Wol.

I am beholden to you.

My lord Sands,

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A good digestion to you all: and, once more, I shower a welcome on you;-Welcome all. Hautboys. Enter the KING, and twelve others, as maskers, habited like shepherds, with sixteen torchbearers; ushered by the Lord Chamberlain. They pass directly before the CARDINAL, and gracefully salute him.

A noble company! what are their pleasures ? ` Cham. Because they speak no English, thus they pray'd

To tell your grace;-That, having heard by fame
Of this so noble and so fair assembly

This night to meet here, they could do no less,
Out of the great respect they bear to beauty,
But leave their flocks; and, under your fair
conduct,

Crave leave to view these ladies, and entreat
An hour of revels with them.
Wol.

Say, lord chamberlain,

They have done my poor house grace; for which I pay them

A

thousand thanks, and pray them take their pleasures.

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ACT II.

•SCENE.-Antechamber in King HENRY'S Palace. | Between us and the emperor, the queen's great

Enter the Dukes of NORFOLK and SUFFOLK.

Nor. Well met, my lord chamberlain.

Cham. Good day to both your graces.

Suf. How is the king employ'd?
Cham.

I left him private,
Full of sad thoughts and troubles.
Nor.
What's the cause?
Cham. It seems the marriage with his brother's
wife

Has crept too near his conscience.

Nor. 'Tis so. This is the cardinal's doing, the king-cardinal. That blind priest, like the eldest son of fortune, Turns what he lists. The king will know him one day.

Suf. Pray God he do! he'll never know himself else.

Nor. How holily he works in all his business! And with what zeal! For now he has crack'd the

league

nephew,

He dives into the king's soul; and there scatters
Dangers, doubts, wringing of the conscience,
Fears, and despairs, and all these for his marriage.
And out of all these, to restore the king,
He counsels a divorce: a loss of her:
That, like a jewel, has bung twenty years
About his neck, yet never lost her lustre;
Of her that loves him with that excellence
That angels love good men with; even of her
That when the greatest stroke of fortune falls,
Will bless the king: And is not this course pious?
Cham. Heaven keep me from such counsel !

'Tis most true,

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This bold bad man.
Suf.
Nor.

And free us from his slavery.
Let's in;

And, with some other business, put the king
From these sad thoughts, that work too much upon

him:

My lord, you'll bear us company?

Cham.
Excuse me;
The king hath sent me other-where besides,
You'll find a most unfit time to disturb him;
Health to your lordships.
Nor. Thanks, my good lord chamberlain.
[Exit Lord Chamberlain.

SCENE.-A Hall in Blackfriars.

As I saw it inclin'd. When was the hour,
I ever contradicted your desire,

Or made it not mine too? Sir, call to mind That I have been your wife, in this obedience, Upwards of twenty years: If, in the course And process of this time, you can report, And prove it too, against mine honour aught, My bond to wedlock, or my love and duty Against your sacred person, in God's name, Turn me away; and let the foul'st contempt Shut door upon me, and so give me up To the sharpest kind of justice. Please you, sir, The king, your father, was reputed for A prince most prudent, of an excellent And unmatch'd wit and judgment: Ferdinand, My father, King of Spain, was reckon❜d one Trumpets, sennet, and cornets. Enter two Vergers, The wisest prince, that there had reign'd by many with short silver wands; next them, two Scribes, A year before: It is not to be question'd in the habits of doctors; after them, the Arch-That they had gather'd a wise council to them bishop of CANTERBURY alone; after him, the Of every realm, that did debate this business, Bishops of LINCOLN, ELY, ROCHESTER, and SAINT ASAPH; next them, with some small dis- Who deem'd our marriage lawful: Wherefore I tance, follows a Gentleman bearing the purse, with Beseech you, sir, to spare me, till I may humbly the great seal, and a cardinal's hat; then two Be by my friends in Spain advis'd; whose counsel Priests, bearing each a silver cross; then a Gentleman-Usher bare-headed, accompanied with a Your pleasure be fulfill'd! I will implore; if not, i' the name of God, Sergeant-at-Arms, bearing a silver mace; then You have here, lady, two Gentlemen, bearing two great silver pillars; (And of your choice) these reverend fathers; men after them, side by side, the two Cardinals WOLSEY Of singular integrity and learning, and CAMPEIUS; two Noblemen with the sword Yea, the elect of the land, who are assembled and mace. [Then enter the KING and QUEEN, To plead your cause: It shall be therefore bootless and their Trains.] The KING takes place under the cloth of state; the two CARDINALS sit under That longer you desire the court; as well him as judges. The QUEEN takes place at some What is unsettled in the king. your own quiet, as to rectify distance from the KING.

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Scribe. Say, Henry king of England, come into
the court.

Crier. Henry king of England, &c.
K. Hen. Here.

Scribe. Say, Katherine queen of England, come
into the court.

Crier. Katherine queen of England, &c. [The QUEEN makes no answer, rises out of her chair, goes about the court, comes to the KING, and kneels at his feet; then speaks.

Q. Kath. Sir, I desire you, do me right and
justice;

And to bestow your pity on me: for
I am a most poor woman, and a stranger,
Born out of your dominions; having here
No judge indifferent, nor no more assurance
Of equal friendship and proceeding. Alas, sir,
In what have I offended you? what cause
Hath my behaviour given to your displeasure,
That thus you should proceed to put me off,
And take your good grace from me? Heaven
witness,

I have been to you a true and humble wife,
At all times to your will conformable:

Ever in fear to kindle your dislike,

Yea, subject to your countenance: glad, or sorry,

For

Wol.

Cam.

His grace
Hath spoken well and justly: Therefore, madam,
It's fit this royal session do proceed;
And that, without delay, their arguments
Be now produc'd, and heard.

Q. Kath.

To you I speak.

Wol.

Q. Kath.

Lord cardinal,

Your pleasure, madam ?

Sir,

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Where powers are your retainers; and your words,
Domestics to you, serve your will, as't please
Yourself pronounce their office. I must tell you,
You tender more your person's honour than
Your high profession spiritual: That again
I do refuse you for my judge; and here,
Before you all, appeal unto the pope,
To bring my whole cause 'fore his holiness,
And to be judg'd by him.

[She curtsies to the KING, and offers to depart.
Cam.
The queen is obstinate,
Stubborn to justice, apt to accuse it, and
Disdainful to be tried by it; 'tis not well.
She's going away.

K. Hen. Call her again.

Crier. Katharine, queen of England, come into the court.

Grif. Madam, you are call'd back.

Q. Kath. What need you note it? pray you, keep your way:

When you are call'd, return.-Now the Lord help.
They vex me past my patience !-pray you, pass on;
I will not tarry no, nor ever more,
Upon this business, my appearance make
In any of their courts.

[Exeunt QUEEN, GRIFFITH, and her other
Attendants.

K. Hen. Go thy ways, Kate: That man i' the world who shall report he has A better wife, let him in nought be trusted, For speaking false in that: Thou art, alone (If thy rare qualities, sweet gentleness, Thy meekness saint-like, wife-like government,Obeying in commanding, and thy parts Sovereign and pious else, could speak thee out), The queen of earthly queens:-She is noble born; And, like her true nobility, she has Carried herself towards me.

ACT III.

SCENE.-Palace at Bridewell. A Room in the Were tried by every tongue, every eye saw them,

Queen's Apartment.

The QUEEN and some of her Women, at work. Q. Kath. Take thy lute, wench; my soul grows sad with troubles :

Sing, and disperse them if thou canst: leave working.

SONG.

Orpheus with his lute made trees,
And the mountain tops that freeze,

Bow themselves, when he did sing:
To his music, plants and flowers
Ever sprung; as sun and showers

There had made a lasting spring. Everything that heard him play, Even the billows of the sea,

Hung their heads, and then lay. In sweet musie is such art:

Killing care and grief of heart
Fall asleep, or, hearing, die.

Wol.

Enter WOLSEY and CAMPEIUS.
Peace to your highness!
Q. Kath. Your graces find me here part of a
housewife;

I would be all against the worst may happen.
What are your pleasures with me, reverend lords?
Wol. May it please you, noble madam, to
withdraw

Into your private chamber, we shall give you
The full cause of our coming.

Q. Kath.
Speak it here;
There's nothing I have done yet, o' my conscience,
Deserves a corner: 'Would all other women
Could speak this with as free a soul as I do!
My lords, I care not (so much I am happy
Above a number) if my actions

Envy and base opinion set against them,
I know my life so even; If your business
Seek me out, and that way I am wife in,
Out with it boldly; Truth loves open dealing.
Cam.
Most honour'd madam,

My lord of York,-out of his noble nature,
Zeal and obedience he still bore your grace;
Forgetting, like a good man, your late censure
Both of his truth and him (which was too far),-
Offers, as I do, in a sign of peace,

His service and his counsel.

Q. Kath.
To betray me. [Aside.
My lords, I thank you both for your good wills;
Ye speak like honest men; pray God, ye prove so!
But how to make ye suddenly an answer,
In such a point of weight, so near mine honour
(More near my life, I fear), with my weak wit,
And to such men of gravity and learning,
In truth, I know not. Good your graces,
Let me have time, and counsel, for my cause;
Alas! I am a woman, friendless, hopeless.
Wol. Madam, you wrong the king's love with
these fears;

Your hopes and friends are infinite.
Q. Kath.
In England
But little for my profit: can you think, lords,
That any Englishman dare give me counsel ?

Cam. Put your main cause into the king's pro

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The cordial that ye bring a wretched lady?
Have I liv'd thus long-(let me speak myself,
Since virtue finds no friends)-a wife, a true one?
A woman (I dare say without vain glory)
Never yet branded with suspicion ?
Have I with all my full affections

Still met the king? lov'd him next heaven? obey'd him?

Been, out of fondness, superstitious to him?
Almost forgot my prayers to content him?
And am I thus rewarded? 'tis not well, lords.
Bring me a constant woman to her husband,
One that ne'er dream'd a joy beyond his pleasure;
And to that woman, when she has done most,
Yet will I add an honour,-a great patience.
Wol. Madam, you wander from the good we
aim at.

Q. Kath. My lord, I dare not make myself so guilty

To give up willingly that noble title
Your master wed me to nothing but death
Shall e'er divorce my dignities.

Wol.

Pray, hear me.

Q. Kath. Would I had never trod this English earth,

Or felt the flatteries that grow upon it!

SCENE.-Antechamber to the King's Apartment. Enter the Duke of NORFOLK, the Duke of SUFFOLK, the Earl of SURREY, and the Lord Chamberlain.

Sur.

Nor. If you will now unite in your complaints, And force them with a constancy, the cardinal Cannot stand under them: if you omit The offer of this time, I cannot promise But that you shall sustain more new disgraces, With these you bear already. I am joyful To meet the least occasion, that may give me Remembrance of my father-in-law, the duke, To be reveng'd on him. Suf. Which of the peers Have uncontemn'd gone by him, or at least Strangely neglected? when did he regard The stamp of nobleness in any person, Out of himself?

Cham. My lords, you speak your pleasures:
What he deserves of you and me I know;
What we can do to him (though now the time
Gives way to us), I much fear. If you cannot
Bar his access to the king, never attempt
Anything on him: for he hath a witchcraft
Over the king in his tongue.
(), fear him not;

Nor.
His spell in that is out: the king hath found
Matter against him that for ever mars
The honey of his language. No, he's settled,
Not to come off, in his displeasure.

Sur.

Sir,

I should be glad to hear such news as this Ye have angels' faces, but heaven knows your Once every hour.

hearts.

Wol.
If your grace
Could but he brought to know our ends are honest,
You'd feel more comfort: why should we, good
lady,

Upon what cause, wrong you? alas! our places,
The way of our profession is against it;
We are to cure such sorrows, not to sow them.
For goodness' sake, consider what you do;
How you may hurt yourself, ay, utterly
Grow from the king's acquaintance, by this car-
riage.

Cam. Madam, you'll find it so. You wrong your virtues

With these weak women's fears. A noble spirit, As yours was put into you, ever casts

Such doubts, as false coin, from it. The king

loves you;

Beware you lose it not; For us, if you please To trust us in your business, we are ready

To use our utmost studies in your service.

Nor.

Believe it, this is true; In the divorce, his contrary proceedings Are all unfolded; wherein he appears, As I would wish mine enemy. Sur. His practices to light? Suf. Sur.

How came

Most strangely.

O, how, how? Suf. The cardinal's letter to the pope miscarried, And came to the eye o' the king: wherein was read, How that the cardinal did entreat his holiness To stay the judgment o' the divorce: For if It did take place, "I do," quoth he, "perceive, My king is tangled in affection to

A creature of the queen's, Lady Anne Bullen." Sur. Has the king this?

Suf.

Sur.

Cham. The king in this coasts,

And hedges, his own way.

Believe it.

Will this work? perceives him, how he

But in this point.

Q. Kath. Do what ye will, my lords: And, pray, All his tricks founder, and he brings his physic

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